Treat a heart rhythm problem with medications, a minimally invasive procedure, or implantation of a pacemaker or defibrillator

Team Care Approach

Get help for your irregular heartbeat from our electrophysiologists who work closely with other members of the heart and vascular team–heart failure specialists, general cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, and others–to ensure the best treatment program for your specific condition and quality of life.

Diagnosing Arrhythmia

In addition to other diagnostic procedures, your doctor will perform electrophysiology studies (EPS) to check for abnormal heartbeats. During EPS, your doctor inserts a special catheter into a vein in your neck or groin and threads it into your heart. Tiny electrodes at the tip of the catheter allow your doctor to send electrical signals to your heart and record its electrical activity. With this information, your doctor can identify your heart rhythm problem and locate the area(s) needing treatment.

The tests typically last one to four hours but could take longer if your doctor decides to perform treatment at the same time.

Types of Arrhythmia

If you’re diagnosed with arrhythmia, your doctor will explain which condition affects you. The four main types of arrhythmia are:

Contact Us

Call the Heart & Vascular Center referral line at 866-862-4327 to find specialists, make an appointment or learn more about preventing heart disease.

Open Access is a new physician referral service, created by the UNC Center for Heart & Vascular Care, which coordinates all admissions and transfers through a single phone call and guarantees immediate acceptance for patients. Please contact us to learn more or call 866-862-4327.